Born in Genoa, Italy in 1782 and composed his first Sonata at the age of 8. from 1805 to 1808 he was the court solo violinist in Lucca, appointed by Napoleon’s wife. He donated his Guarnerius violin, “The Cannon” to the city of Genoa and it is still carefully preserved in that city. A current artist, Regina Carter, was given the great honor of recording her CD “After a Dream” on this violin.